FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
B.A.A. Awards Honorary Medals to First Responders Who Saved Runner's Life
During 125th Boston Marathon
Natick, MA - Earlier today, first responders who provided immediate,
life-saving care for Meghan Roth, a participant in the 125th Boston
Marathon who suffered a cardiac event near mile eight, were awarded
honorary medals for their exemplary service.
Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) President & CEO Tom Grilk, along with
Daniel Dow, Deputy Chief of Operations for the Natick Fire Department, and
Dr. David Morris, Medical Control Doctor for Natick Fire, awarded nine
first responders honorary medals in recognition of their efforts on Monday,
October 11.
"The B.A.A. extends our sincere thanks and appreciation to each and every
first responder who came to the aid of Meghan Roth on race day," said
Grilk. "Few other places will you see the community and public safety
support as displayed by these first responders during the Boston Marathon.
While the world was watching, these first responders rose to the occasion.
The Boston Marathon brings people together in numerous ways, and that was
true on October 11."
"There is a lot of coordination that goes into the marathon," said Deputy
Chief Dow. "It is my job to get the right people in the right places in the
right time, and we certainly did that at this year's marathon. I am
extremely proud of the work that was done by the men and women of the
Natick Fire Department and these individuals. Together with our partners
from the Natick Police Department, Brewster Ambulance Service, and the
Framingham Fire Department, we all worked as one that day and were able to
send Meghan home to her family, which is an amazing accomplishment."
Among those receiving honorary medals were:
- Captain/Paramedic Eric Williamson
- Lieutenant/Paramedic Matt Mullen
- Firefighter/Paramedic Kyle Sammon
- Firefighter Jeff Libby
- Firefighter Dan Gould
- Officer Scott Wade
- Paramedic Scott Marcosa, Brewster Ambulance
- Paramedic Mark Jacobs, Brewster Ambulance
- Field Supervisor/Paramedic Ken Reynolds, Brewster Ambulance
First responders also wrote messages and well wishes to Meghan Roth on a
Boston Marathon banner, which will be sent to Roth soon.
Meghan Roth was unable to attend the event, but sent a written note to the
first responders which can be found at the bottom of this release. Roth did
participate in a video call with first responders following today's event.
Also unable to attend were Dr. Jochen D. Muehlschlegel, Cameron Howe, and
Marie Rodgers. Dr. Jochen D. Muehlschlegel was participating in the 125th
Boston Marathon when he stopped to administer CPR on Meghan. Dr.
Muehlschlegel is the attending cardiovascular anesthesiologist at Brigham
and Women's Hospital where he is also the Vice Chair of Research, the
Director of Cardiac Anesthesia Research, and an Associate Professor of
Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Muehlschlegel is currently away
on a medical mission trip to Rwanda.
Cameron Howe and Marie Rogers were spectating the 125th Boston Marathon
when they jumped into action to administer aid to Meghan as well. Cameron
is a nursing student at Boston College, and Marie is a retired nurse. The
B.A.A. will recognize Dr. Jochen D. Muehlschlegel, Cameron Howe, and Marie
Rodgers at a future time.
MESSAGE FROM MEGHAN ROTH TO FIRST RESPONDERS:
Hi, my name is Meghan Roth. I am a runner, a coach, a mother, a daughter, a
sister, a friend, a lover, a fighter & a survivor.
On October 11th at 9:44am my life came crashing down… but you were there to
save me. From the lifeless moments of despair to the miracle of life, I am
so blessed to be here today.
You were there for me when I needed you the most. You revived me, you
comforted me & with your heroic actions you brought me back to life.
You brought me back home to my biggest joy & love, my son Jaxon. To my
family, my friends & back to doing the things I love the most.
Thank you a million times again and again because I don't think I can ever
truly thank you enough. I want you to know you mean the world to me.
I want you to know I will never stop living my life to the fullest. I'll
never stop dreaming big & pursuing everything I want in life. I want you to
know that if it wasn't for you, I just wouldn't be here to write this
message. I wouldn't have the chance at the life I've always dreamed. Thank
you for giving me my life back.
For you I am so truly blessed. I hope I can only continue to share the love
& give back to the greater good. I will continue sharing my story &
hopefully make a positive impact for a greater cause bigger than me to help
give back & save the lives of others.
Thank you for everything you do & the lives you have saved & will continue
to save. You are heroes. You are my heroes, guardian angels & I'll never
forget you.
From all the love in my heart. Sending happy tears, many more healthy happy
years, so much love, huge warm hugs & my endless gratitude as I always
remember the day that you all saved my life.
With so much love,
Meghan
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